MANILA – CIBAC Party-list Representative Bro. Eddie Villanueva has denounced the implementation of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) program, warning that it could erode Filipino cultural values, infringe on parental rights, and expose children to sensitive topics deemed inappropriate for their age.

Villanueva expressed concerns over Senate Bill 1979, also known as the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act or Anti-Teen Pregnancy Law, which includes CSE as a key strategy to address rising teenage pregnancies.

“Papayag ka ba na mga taong hindi mo kilala at hindi mo alam ang totoong katauhan ang magtuturo sa mga anak o apo mo ng maseselang bagay tungkol sa sex, porn literacy, masturbation, oral sex, at anal sex? Walang matinong magulang ang papayag nito,” Villanueva said, stressing that the measure would force parents to relinquish their role in educating children on such topics.

The lawmaker emphasized that matters of sexuality should be carefully handled and should remain under the guidance of parents.

“Sex education programs should be approached with caution, maselan ito, at delikado, dahil hindi naman lahat ng guro ay may takot sa Diyos. May ilan na maaaring mag-abuso ng kanilang posisyon, at samantalahin ang innocence ng mga estudyante in the process of teaching CSE,” he said.

Villanueva warned that implementing CSE in schools could introduce children to lessons that are not age-appropriate, possibly leading to early sexualization and the neglect of important values like prudence, modesty, chastity, and respect.

As an alternative, the CIBAC congressman urged lawmakers and educators to focus on strengthening moral and values education in schools.

“Kaya nananawagan po tayo sa Senado ng Pilipinas, lalo na sa mga senador na pinagpipilitan ang sex education na ito. Maawa naman po kayo sa kabataang Pilipino. Kung gusto ninyo silang tulungan makaiwas sa teen pregnancy, mas pagbutihin natin ang pagtuturo ng moralidad sa mga paaralan,” he said.

Villanueva proposed improving Values Education and the Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) curriculum, which was legislated by CIBAC Partylist, as an alternative to CSE. He also suggested community-based education programs that empower parents to guide their children on issues related to sex, as well as partnerships between government and faith-based groups.

“Pwede ring makipag-partner ang pamahalaan sa simbahan at iba pang faith-based groups. Maraming paraan para tulungan ang mga kabataan. Pero ang CSE ay hindi isa sa mga paraang ito,” Villanueva stated.

He also called on the Department of Education to suspend DepEd Order No. 031, series of 2018, which mandates the implementation of sex education in schools.

The National Coalition for the Family and the Constitution (NCFC) criticized aspects of the proposed CSE program. They explained that while they support health education, they are concerned about topics that contradict Filipino values and religious beliefs, as these could harm children’s innocence. Topics such as sexual diversity, contraception, abortion, and non-traditional relationships were flagged as inconsistent with traditional values.

In response to NCFC’s concerns, Education Secretary Sonny Angara pledged that inappropriate content would not be allowed in schools.

📷 CIBAC Party-list